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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the result of the game John and Timmy saw?

2. What is Timmy doing when the play opens?

3. What type of flowers did Nettie's father used to send to her?

4. What does John consider impressive about Timmy's jacket?

5. Where is Timmy's army jacket, as John admires it?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does John think that he and Nettie's marriage will improve, and how does Nettie comment on his theory?

2. What is Timmy's request at breakfast in the first scene of Act 2, how does John respond, and what does it indicate?

3. What similar decision do both Timmy and John make in Act 2, Scene 1, and why do they make it?

4. Where does Nettie say she has been for twelve hours, and what reason does she give for her return?

5. What does the ending of "The Subject was Roses" lead the reader to believe might happen?

6. What does Timmy tell John that he argued with Nettie about and why?

7. How does the way Nettie reacts to Timmy's drinking in Scene 3 illustrate the difference between her and John?

8. How does John view the relationship between all three family members, according to Timmy?

9. What does Timmy tell Nettie about the way he viewed the family before he left for the army, and after he returned?

10. What does Timmy have for his mother, and how does he involve John in the gift?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe John's attempts to get Timmy to stay in the beginning of the last scene. Include how they are indicative of his character and how both Timmy and Nettie respond to him. What does that say about their place in the story at this point? How did each one arrive there?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Timmy and John's reaction to Nettie's disappearance. Describe how they both respond in different ways, why, and the effect their actions have on the play in general.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Nettie's character in detail. What are her personality traits? How do they contribute to her situation? How does she affect the other characters? What is her place in the family and the reasons behind it? Use the play to support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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